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cad software companies use

There are a variety of engineering and design jobs that use CAD (computer-aided design software).

We often get asked what CAD software companies use. As a busy staffing agency for engineers, and designers we know it depends on the particular industry a company is in.

Different CAD systems are tailored towards certain industries, with crossover and competition between the various CAD software companies.

Interested in learning about the best CAD software for engineers, designers, and drafters? Keep reading.

We list CAD software packages you should consider learning, some of their features, potential career paths, and the industries that create jobs for them.  

Popular types of CAD software companies use include SolidWorks, Inventor, Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MicroStation, CATIA, Creo, and Siemens NX.

1. SolidWorks  

As a popular mechanical design software with a large community of users, employers are frequently seeking job seekers with SolidWorks experience.  This 3D modeling CAD software is used heavily in the mechanical engineering and design industries. It is the industry standard for product development.

Some features including:

  • Product design simulation
  • 3D solid modeling
  • Product data management
  • Cost estimation, manufacturability checks
  • Created with ease of use in mind
  • Used by mechanical and electrical engineering departments

 Jobs that use SolidWorks CAD software

  • Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Industrial engineer
  • Electrical engineer, designer, and drafter
  • Product development engineer

What Industries use SolidWorks?

  • Aerospace & Aviation
  • Consumer products
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical Device
  • Industrial products
  • Oil & Gas

2. Inventor

A 3D modeling software and the main competitor of SolidWorks, used in mechanical design, engineering, and product development. 

Some features including:

  • Parametric modeling for 3D objects
  • Product data management
  • 3D Solid Modeling
  • Simulation
  • Visualization

Jobs that use Inventor CAD software

  • Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Industrial engineer
  • Product development engineer

What industries use Inventor?

  • Aerospace & Aviation
  • Consumer products
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical Device
  • Industrial products
  • Oil & Gas equipment

3. Revit

Software for BIM (building information modeling) used in construction projects with a suite of tools to create 3D models of buildings. This software supports all disciplines of building construction projects including, architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical aspects. If you’re asking what cad software should I learn for building design or construction this is it. The demand for employees with Revit skills grows continually year after year.

Some features including:

  • 3D modeling and 3D visualization
  • MEP modeling and detailing
  • Structural steel modeling
  • Construction documentation of the project
  • Models components for building and fabrication

Jobs that use Revit CAD software

  • Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
  • Electrical engineer, designer, and drafter
  • Structural engineer, designer, and drafter
  • Architects, architectural designers, and drafters
  • Interior Architect, Interior designer
  • Plumbing designer, HVAC designer, MEP designer
  • BIM Coordinator

What industries use Revit?

  • Architectural
  • Construction
  • Engineering

4. AutoCAD  

One of the oldest and most used CAD software for 2D / 3D drafting & design. It has the ability to create blueprints, equipment layouts, section planes, model documentation, and more. Learning AutoCAD and additional 3D CAD software is a recipe for success.

Some features including:

  • 2D drawing, drafting, and annotation
  • Extended workflows
  • Xrefs and block palettes
  • Dynamic blocks
  • 3D Mesh, solid and surface modeling

Jobs that use AutoCAD CAD software

  • Architects, Architectural designer, and drafter
  • Electrical engineer, design and drafter
  • Electronics engineer, design and drafter
  • Plumbing designer, HVAC designer, MEP designer
  • Interior designer
  • Industrial engineer
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Mechanical engineer, design and drafter
  • Structural engineer, designer, and drafter

What industries use AutoCAD?

  • Aerospace & Aviation
  • Consumer products
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical Device
  • Industrial products
  • Oil & Gas
  • Civil, Structural, MEP

5. Civil 3D

An Autodesk product originally created as an add-on for AutoCAD, Civil 3D is a standalone software used by civil engineers and other professionals to plan, design, and manage civil engineering projects including transportation, land development, and wastewater. Job seekers with Civil 3D design experience are one of the most sought after skills for employers in the civil engineering field.

Some features including:

  • Corridor modeling
  • Plan production tools ( plan, profiles & sections)
  • Terrain Grading
  • Support for BIM (Building Information Modeling)
  • Surface creation tools

Jobs that use Civil 3D CAD software

  • Civil engineer, designer, and drafter
  • GIS technicians
  • Survey technicians

What Industries use Civil 3D?

  • Civil & Transportation engineering
  • Utilities
  • Oil & Gas

6. MicroStation

A 3D / 2D CAD software used by architects and engineers to visualize, model, draft, and document projects. MicroStation frequently is used in the Civil Transportation industry for city and state DOT projects.

Some features including:

  • 3D Parametric Modeling
  • Ability to visualize and analyze data on models
  • BIM workflows
  • Produce animations and renderings

Jobs that use MicroStation CAD software

  • Architects, architectural designer, and drafter
  • Civil engineer, designer, and drafter
  • Interior designer
  • Transportation engineer

What Industries Use MicroStation?:

  • Architectural & Planning
  • Civil water & wastewater engineering
  • Construction
  • Process manufacturing
  • Oil & Gas
  • Electrical & gas utilities

7. CATIA  

CAD software used by OEM’s (original equipment manufacturers) for surface modeling, design, and visualization. Want an engineering or design job in the Automotive or Aerospace industries? Put this one on your list.

Some features including:

  • 3D Modeling
  • Digital prototyping
  • Highly detailed surface modeling and shape manipulation
  • Virtually create and analyze products during development

Jobs that use CATIA CAD software

  • Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
  • Electrical engineer, design and drafter
  • Industrial designer
  • Product development engineer

What Industries use CATIA?:

  • Aerospace & Aviation
  • Automotive
  • Shipbuilding

8. Creo

Formerly known as Pro/Engineer, Creo is a 3D CAD software for product development, generative design, and top-down design. It is used by some of the biggest companies in the world including Coca-Cola.

Some features including:

  • 3D Modeling & Design
  • Parametric surfacing
  • Generative design
  • Plastics part design

Jobs that use Creo CAD Software

  • Mechanical engineer, designer, and drafter
  • Product development engineer
  • Industrial, Sheet metal, Tool & die designers

What Industries use Creo?

  • Automotive
  • Food & Beverage
  • Manufacturing
  • Industrial
  • Product development
  • Plastics

9. SIEMENS NX

Once known as Unigraphics, Siemens NX is a 3D CAD software used for design, simulation, and manufacturing. This is another popular CAD software in the aerospace and automotive industries.

Some features including:

  • Advanced geometry creation tools
  • 3D Modeling and plotting tools
  • Convergent Modeling
  • Advanced geometry creation tools
  • Generative Engineering
  • Parametric design

Jobs that use Siemens NX CAD software

  • Mechanical engineer and designer
  • Manufacturing engineer and designer
  • Product development engineer and designer

What Industries use Siemens NX?

  • Aerospace
  • Automotive
  • Medical Manufacturing
  • Consumer products

10. Windchill

Windchill is the industry-leading PLM Tool from PTC. Windchill software for PLM offers all-inclusive imaginative functionality and configurable role and task-based apps, which allows businesses to expand access to valuable product data to its stakeholders. 


Some features including:

  • Product development
  • Software development
  • MBSE techniques
  • Service management
  • Product Design

Jobs that use Windchill software for PLM:

  • PLM developers
  • Product Development Coordinator
  • PLM consultant
  • PLM admin
  • Manufacturing engineer

What industries use Windchill software for PLM?:

  • Consumer-packaged goods industries
  • Food and beverages and cosmetics
  • Personal care industry

This list of ten popular CAD systems is by no means exhaustive, however, it gives you a general idea of some of the more commonly used CAD systems employers and CAD staffing agencies are seeking.

If you are seeking CAD design job opportunities nation wide check out our list of the best job search websites.

Interested in jobs that use CAD or looking for CAD talent ? Need a top engineering staffing agency? Reach out to Apollo Technical